Brown algae

[Chahala]

I have yucky black brown algae on my plastc plants and now it is getting on my rocks and gravel. This is very hard to get off. How can I get rid of it?:swoon:

[Melody]

Do you know which algae it is exactly? Pictures? This (http://www.aquaticscape.com/articles/algae.htm) article may help you to ID it. The best way to get rid of it depends on what kind it is so that's the first step.

Is the tank newly set up?

[Sarahs]

Have you tried using an algea eating fish to rid it? like a school of ottos?
I had a go around and still fight iwth Black beard algea. i got rid of all my live plants, i was/am tired of dealing with it, it is a pain to get rid of. a lot of times it can lay dormant on fish. my recommendation is to throughly clean your plastic plants and gravel with 19water:1 bleach soluntion, in hot water.. and rinse ur decor completely. You may have to do this a few times.. I also was told to double dose the tank with "Flourishing Excel " by Seachem, I dont know if this applies to plastic plants. I had live plants. It has algicide like contents in it when it is double dosed, but is not advertised as a algicide. however, this method with Fourishing is hard on the fish.. and you need to watch them closely.

however, it could be cyanobacteria.... which requires a 48-72 hour complete blackout(put dark towels or something likewise over the tank) It is easily removed from the glass of the tank, and grows back rapidly etc after cleaning.. or you can treat it with eurethomiacin (sp) you can get it at petsmart.. but err on the side of caution with doseing the tank, do like 1/2 the recommended dosage because it will kill your benefical bacteria in your tank.

Do some googlin' on the two topics.. 'black beard algea' and 'cyanobacteria' then you'll be able to narrow it now
hope that helps
Sarah